Anti-social behaviour complaints recorded

A new system has been put in place by Westmeath County Council to record complaints of anti-social behaviour.
Westmeath County Manager, Pat Gallagher, told the members of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) in Westmeath that a dedicated IT-based system has been set up.
The system is password-protected, and access to the system is limited to the three senior staff in the council’s housing department who are involved in investigating anti-social behaviour.
“All complaints regarding anti-social behaviour must now be recorded on this system,” said Mr Gallagher, adding that all such complaints remain confidential.
He said that the council’s Housing special policy committee (SPC) has approved a handbook for council tenants, and this is now to go before the full council. Once approved by the members, it will then be issued to all of Westmeath County Counciil’s tenants.
In addition, the council’s housing section has begun drafting an Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy which it intends bringing before the housing SPC in early 2017.
“Once adopted by the council, its contents will be communicated to all of our tenants,” he stated.
Mr Gallagher also told the meeting that the JPC’s working group examining the “Design of the Built Environment” is preparing its final report.
The working group’s remit was to examine the design of the built environment in respect of crime prevention and anti-social activity and to make recommendations for consideration for incorporation into policy and practice.
Mr Gallagher stated that when the report is finalised, it will be forwarded for the attention of the JPC.